Even a day makes a difference! WHO is now considering increasing
its phase to Phase 5. The US now has a death rate that exceeds 1%, so
the Pandemic Severity Index in the US is a Category 4 severity,
especially given the death rate in Mexico which appears to be in excess
of 2% and thus a Category 5 severity. So NOW would be the time to
begin all of those community mitigation efforts in every affected
state....and at least most of them throughout the US. For the details about what we should do and why, see this reposting from yesterday. Secondguessing the CDC But suffice it to say, we need to isolate the ill, quarentine those in close contact with them at home, close schools and deliver instruction on line, reduce business meetings and encourage telework, cancel large gatherings, and in general promote social distancing. My guess is that it will take another dozen deaths and the spread to another 15 states before the CDC issues these recommendations.